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Last week, developers Lyle Burgin and Richard Kopf scrapped a plan to use part of Boy Scout Hill, city-owned land near Buckner Boulevard and Mockingbird Lane, for a restaurant overlooking White Rock Lake. Do you think a restaurant at the lake is a good idea?

Helen Stettler, Lochwood: After attending an informational meeting last week, I perceived the developers’ avowed commitment to benefit the lake financially and the demonstrated neighborhoods’ huge opposition to a restaurant on Boy Scout Hill. I have the perfect solution. Why don’t these two gentlemen give a large monetary donation to the White Rock Lake nonprofits and not build the restaurant? That would certainly make many lake users happy.

Bob Kennedy, Lakewood: This is a very bad idea. White Rock Lake is the largest contiguous green space in Dallas, and the citizens should fight to preserve that. I enjoy the view there at sunset coming off of Buckner Boulevard onto Mockingbird Lane, as do countless others. Why should this be taken away for the average citizen? A restaurant there will inevitably cater to the well-off in our city and lock out those with lesser means, just as the arboretum does. A city park is for all, not just a few. This is emblematic of what is going so wrong in our country.

Judy Porter, Olde Lake Highlands: I live five blocks from White Rock Lake and see bikers whizzing by my home to ride around the lake every day. I know I would enjoy a restaurant that overlooks the lake, but I understand the hesitancy of those living closest to Boy Scout Hill and their worries about more traffic and parking hassles. Do we need a new restaurant there? No. Would it be good for the area? Maybe. It would create more jobs, more income and more taxes paid. Is it worth the hassles of more traffic and parking problems? We don’t have that answer yet. If the developers are truly good at what they do, they’ll account for those problems. If they build it (well), the people will come ...

Tim Kelley, Hillside: Every square inch in Dallas does not have to be “developed.” Some things are best left alone.

Linda Miller, Lakewood: This just might be the dumbest idea ever. White Rock Lake is city-owned park land. The grape hyacinths at the top of the hill are blooming right now and other wildflowers come later. Why not put a parking lot on top of them? Then, after the precedent is set, we can have more retail establishments, perhaps food trucks and corny dog stands?

Swan Thompson, East Dallas: Dallas has more than enough restaurants. You can’t swing a napkin in this town without hitting an existing or brand new restaurant. Don’t get me started on the subject of over-eager developers. White Rock Lake, including Boy Scout Hill, belongs to the people of Dallas. It does not exist for the purpose of making money for developers or corporations. Although it undoubtedly galls those who would love to profit off our lake and parks, those of us (and our families, including the furry members of said families) who use, enjoy and embrace the beauty of White Rock Lake, will not tamely agree to its ruination via commercial development. So please, city council members, do the right thing and kick this ludicrous idea to the curb, or prepare to face a Texas-size fight with your constituents. Make us proud — preserve White Rock Lake for the people.

Victor Aves, Lowest Greenville: I think a family-friendly establishment with direct access from the lake and limited parking should allow patrons from the trails and from afar to come and enjoy our East Dallas jewel, White Rock Lake. I would envision an establishment with a simple menu during the daytime hours, like burgers, sandwiches and ice cream, with an outdoor seating area, and then perhaps a bit more of a hearty menu during dinner. I would not want to see an uppity white table-clothed restaurant that sat empty during the day and only opened to high-end clientele in the evening. I feel that a compromise can be reached on both sides if both neighborhood residents and developers open their eyes and ears.

Paul Schmidt, Lakewood: Frankly, I’m getting tired of developers trying to con us into letting them take over public property for their private, for-profit schemes. Very few places are left for the public to enjoy White Rock Lake without having to pay some kind of admission fee. What part of the word “public” in “public property” don’t these self-serving individuals understand? If Boy Scout Hill needs a food venue, perhaps the city could add some picnic tables where families can bring their own food and enjoy nature.

Sharon Maclin, Old Lake Highlands: White Rock Lake does not need a restaurant. The park is for people who want to be outside playing, walking, biking, running, napping, reading, grilling, kite-flying, fishing and I’m sure a dozen other “-ings” I've not even thought of. A restaurant, and all that comes with it, is nothing if not an unnecessary and utterly undesirable “fix” for something that is not broken. Never mind that droves of people who frequent the park and who live in the White Rock area are screaming their opposition to such a project. If these builders want a restaurant in the White Rock Lake area, I’ve no doubt they can find a suitable space along Garland Road between Buckner Boulevard and the arboretum.

Michael Burt, Lochwood: Dallas needs more park space, not more restaurant space. I suppose it has become acceptable, after repeated attempts by the Dallas Arboretum to occupy park land at White Rock Lake, for everyone to believe they have a right to carve out personal profits from our public property. Leave our parks for the people.

David Titsworth, Lakewood Trails: Boy Scout Hill has been lightning rod of opinion since the developers’ announcement. I watched the vitriol at the neighborhood meeting at the church, and am frankly startled at their blind hatred for this idea. But what should I expect from a small, but very vocal and obnoxious minority opposed to the idea. The majority of us have remained silent for too long. If the opponents to the plan think it will destroy the ecology of the park, they are mistaken. A few blades of grass will be covered for sure, but what else may the hill be used for? Nobody does anything there now. Increased traffic? So? I have lived here 43 years and have put up with traffic when advances such as the arboretum became a reality. On weekends, I have to use Lawther Drive, and must tolerate all the Lance Armstrong wannabes that demand we drivers yield to their “passion.” And then there are the multiple sanctioned races. Talk about traffic ... It is already there. I believe a restaurant there with a nice patio and ambiance would be a good thing. Where else in the neighborhood can we literally walk to a nice place to eat and relax at or near the lake? Everyone who is opposed to this should think past the end of their nose. In the future, something will be done with Boy Scout Hill ... It is inevitable. Would you rather have a nice restaurant, or a theme park with a Ferris wheel, concessions and all that would entail? No one is talking about destroying the lake, only making one addition to improve the chances that more people could enjoy the benefits of our treasure of a park.

Martin Drew, Lakewood: If a restaurant would be placed there it should be a five-star restaurant like the Opus at the Meyerson Symphony Center or the French Room at the Adolphus, which have happy customers with well-prepared food. Otherwise, I would not have a restaurant there.

Mary Rosen, Lake Highlands: I am an 85-year-old native Dallasite. I began enjoying White Rock when my family moved from Oak Cliff to Lakewood as I entered fourth grade. A restaurant with views of the lake would greatly enhance my life. I can no longer ride a bike around the lake or feel comfortable walking there, but I have many happy memories of times past.

Dave LaBrec, White Rock: No need for one more restaurant, especially where many use it now. We already have a parking problem at the lake, and rest assured the developer will not allow park visitors to use his parking lot. Secondly, I have yet to hear what kind of restaurant is proposed.

George Brown, Piedmont/Scyene: I tend to agree with Sheffie Kadane and the neighborhoods he represents. There are plenty of places in Dallas where a good restaurant would be welcome, so why try to shove it down peoples’ throats that don’t want it in this neighborhood?

Barbara King, East Dallas: I can see why those developers want to procure that spot. It is one of the best views in the city. The only one I can think of that is equal is atop Seale Street in West Dallas. Boy Scout Hill would be a great location for a bar. With that view, a Sunday brunch, a great patio (two levels?), a short, decent menu, a few umbrellas and you have a profitable venture. I can’t see why we, the residents, would want to sell that spot. It belongs to all of us. We already have a huge commercial enterprise at the lake. It clogs traffic, has added stoplights and acres and acres of concrete. Can’t we stop there? We do not need another commercial enterprise with the attendant parking lots and dumpsters and traffic in our park. It’s a park, already.

David Rogers, M Streets: The more culinary variety we bring to Dallas, the better. Enough with chain restaurants and definitely enough with chain Mexican restaurants. A restaurant overlooking the lake in Dallas has been long overdue. White Rock Lake surrounding residents — please add to Dallas restaurant diversity with this planned restaurant. It is time for Dallas to let its culinary creativity out of the gates.

G. M. Tippit, Lake Highlands: A restaurant at Boy Scout Hill? There are a multiple choice of restaurants around or near the entire White Rock Lake area. There is positively no reason whatsoever of any eating or any other kind of business anywhere inside this park. It would be very detrimental regardless of any monies the city of Dallas would receive. The cost of extra policing, roadways and trash control would negate any revenue gain. Additional damage to the entire park area would be beyond calculation as well as an eyesore. To sum it up: No. Kudos to Sheffie Kadane for his stand against.

Phil Mendershausen, Casa Linda Estates: I have but one problem with a restaurant on Boy Scout Hill if the environmental impact is negligible. The larger issue is the gradual commercialization of land adjacent to the public park, which will erode the public’s ability to enjoy White Rock Lake. The arboretum has already paved over acres of private adjacent land for use as a parking lot and was narrowly defeated in an effort to use public land for more parking. The building of a commercial establishment will serve as precedent for more development which will be increasingly hard to control if we let the cat out of the bag. Right now, anyone and everyone is free is bring a picnic basket to Boy Scout Hill and enjoy the view with the ants and the native grasses. Might I point out that the Trinity River has some commanding views that should be available for lease at very reasonable rates.

Al Raya, Lake Highlands: I am very disappointed in those politicians who allowed this idea to come this far in the first place. What was the motivation for all involved? Now that it has come to our attention, let it be very clear that the so-called “ benefits” these private investors say they offer the city of Dallas do not come close to outweighing the benefits we lose. Dallas has plenty of restaurants, but we only have one Boy Scout Hill. Why take away the most pristine vista of Dallas and replace it with something we have plenty of? Turning White Rock Lake into a restaurant is crass. A restaurant produces garbage, noise, traffic, smell, congestion and obstruction. Why do a few elite want to do this? For what? Another hamburger with fries? The lake has many spots for eating and drinking while enjoying the view. We don't need to strip two-and-a-half acres and top it with a cement building with neon blinking signs. Is that more wholesome than a natural habitat for wildlife, children with kites, and men, women and families. Cities around the country are looking desperately for land to develop parks for their communities and our city government is allowing one of our city jewels to be turned into café? Shame on them. Once again, personal greed has overshadowed community well-being. What about the precedent this would set? If this is approved, then the next favor granted might be a housing development or a dry cleaner with a view, or how about a convenience store? If we allow a case for a restaurant then you can make a case for a gas station. This is about a few people making more money for themselves at the expense of the many. It is fundamentally wrong to take from one person in order to give to another. It's wrong. Just because a wrong thing is done over and over does not make it right. Wake up Dallas!

Ellen Childress, Far East Dallas: I am adamantly opposed to the plan for a restaurant on Boy Scout Hill. It might be nice to have a café in the Bath House, which would require a complete and badly needed renovation of that historic building. I would like to see a smaller, casual venue where I could have coffee and perhaps a dessert before a play or a light meal afterward, where cyclists, walkers, outdoor enthusiasts could drop in for refreshment while they enjoy the park and the lake. Let’s leave the wildflowers on the hill alone. Stop trying to make a commercial enterprise out of a beloved natural area in a city that has few such places, and offer all of us who love the lake a place to enjoy refreshment at a moderate price in a casual and inclusive setting. For once, I wish the city of Dallas would go for what the ordinary citizen would like to have instead of trying to opt for glitz and glitter and paving the blackland prairie into a parking lot for a restaurant that most of us who love White Rock Lake would never visit.

Bob Curry, Casa View Haven: I can make a good argument for a facility that would serve people using the lake for recreational purposes. There is a minimal need for water, but a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, a soft drink, juice or maybe small snacks would be nice. Snack bars, not restaurants, are often available at state parks or private camp grounds. The idea of using public space for a commercial restaurant is plain offensive to me. But if I can get past that, the proposed location makes no sense. It is like putting a shopping center in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood. The developers made a crucial mistake in not taking time to deeply listen to neighborhoods. Instead, they took the short cut of selectively listening to a few community leaders and then, at least in one case, misrepresented what was said in order to support their cause. In this aspect, they were plain stupid and got what they eventually deserved. Hopefully, the acrimonious confrontation that resulted won’t diminish the development potential of northeast Dallas. We have a lot to offer.

Jennifer Jonsson, East Dallas: I am opposed to any more development around White Rock Lake. This lake is a community treasure and home to birds, fish and wildlife that we otherwise wouldn’t see in an urban environment. I'm glad my councilperson, Sheffie Kadane, has also expressed opposition to the restaurant plan. Let’s leave the lake alone as much as possible.

Patty McGrath, White Rock: No, no, no, a million times no. To commercialize this sacred place is wrong for so many reasons. The park, and in particular the gorgeous view of downtown over the lake, belongs to everyone, not just those who can afford $40 for dinner and drinks. Pack a picnic if you want to eat there. Blackland prairie that provides cover for bunnies and ground nesting birds would be destroyed. Traffic at Buckner Boulevard and Mockingbird Lane is already challenging enough at rush hour without adding more. Do the math on parking: 160 spaces open to all lake users, 50 employees, and a projected 500 hundred dinners a night. There is no way this will not spill out into the neighborhood or on the grass. Noise from live music on the patio will disrupt the peace of the lake. There is no planned ventilation to contained the smells from the restaurant. Trash. Varmints, especially coyotes and seagulls, will love the dumpsters. Some patio. Coyotes will pose a safety threat to the dogs, and who wants to huddle over their plate while eating to keep the gulls out of it or pick bird poop out of their hair. Restrooms open to the public may sound good, but police routinely conduct undercover stings for public lewdness on that side of the lake, and restrooms plus a bar can only exacerbate the problem. This restaurant proposal has lit a fire under Old Lake Highlands like nothing I have seen in my 23 years here. We were blindsided by the arboretum expansion/parking garage and the 9,000-square-foot boathouse, but not here. At the community town hall, we were over 500 strong speaking as one against this. The frustration with the developer-as-king mentality at city hall was electric. The neighborhoods on the east a side of the lake are sharing volunteers and information, ready for the next salvo, whatever it may be. District 9’s city council seat race next year will be the one to watch. The lake can’t help but be the No. 1 issue. This has been a real watershed moment where the forces for stewardship and sustainability of our natural resources have pushed back and won against economic development. For a moment I thought I was living in Portland. We kicked these developers’ backsides and sent a certain message to any who aspire to take their place — don’t even think about messing with the lake.

Gabriela Pataro, East Dallas: More than 100 years of history of White Rock Lake and the surrounding park areas prove that it was developed for the people of Dallas, regardless of the time frame we are a part of it. This outweighs and is equal to any emotions and opinions we can express. Let us then focus on questions and facts. 1. Who has the final authority on approving this? 2. Developers claim the lease will be signed by For the Love of the Lake, White Rock Conservancy and other groups. Is it considered legally binding if White Rock Conservancy is in a 501c-3 revoked status since 2011? Furthermore, why would FTOTL sign if they do not agree or support the proposal of the developers? 3. As a retired restaurateur having founded restaurants (on private property) in this area (and others) from 1987 to 2013, I know that alcoholic beverage sales are the highest profit items. For this reason many bars disguise themselves as restaurants. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission requires every restaurant to hold a food and beverage certificate. That restaurant must have 51% of its income be derived from food sales and sales of other items. What other items you ask? . . . green fees at golf clubs, merchandise sales such as t-shirts, gift certificates, promo items, etc. I think you get my point. This is one reason you may have noticed an ever decreasing amount of food options a restaurant has with an ever increasing list (and prices) of alcoholic beverages prepared by a mixologist (no lab coat) especially in chic restaurants. The developer’s renderings proved their plans for chic. Furthermore, each and every restaurant does not appeal to all. The developer’s claims to have a restaurant for all that visit the lake and park is impossible. The general public is, well, general. 4. In this contentious situation one must trust, but verify any rhetoric from elected officials. Councilman Kadane strutted up the aisle of the meeting place with a printed “Save Boy Scout Hill” T-shirt. He claimed he would vote against it, but he will soon be out of office. Furthermore, his record is inconsistent on such promises as the two-and-a-half year battle of Little Forest Hills Conservation efforts shows. He promised to stand behind them and promptly voted against their wishes. 5. Lastly, I personally want to put this issue as third on our community’s list of victories: First, the outrageous idea of placing a 25-story condominium building along Emerald Isle. Second, the planned, secret takeover of Winfrey Point by the Dallas Arboretum a full profit, nonprofit. Third, saving Boy Scout Hill. Regardless of the results of this particular issue, we and further generations must remain vigilant.

Ken Ashby, Lochwood: White Rock Lake once had a landmark restaurant called Sunset Inn. New York’s Central Park is home to the world-famous Tavern on the Green. The new diner would cost taxpayers nothing, generate revenue for lake improvements, and does not interfere with existing park use. The idea was shouted down by neighbors with a history of opposing public activity at the lake — concerts, running and cycling events, dog park expansion — and without input from park users. Is White Rock Lake being managed for use by all Dallas residents, or has it become the private backyard of a few homeowners?

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